Close Photoshop completely.
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Restore keyboard shortcut functionality by identifying and resolving common conflicts in Adobe Photoshop.
When keyboard shortcuts stop working in Photoshop, your workflow can significantly slow down. This issue typically stems from corrupted preferences, conflicting applications, or third-party utilities interfering with the Photoshop keyboard input handling.
Corrupt Photoshop preferences
Hold down Alt+Ctrl+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (macOS) while launching Photoshop.
When prompted to Delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings File, select Yes.
Test keyboard shortcuts to verify they're working again.
Running multiple applications simultaneously
Save your work in Photoshop.
Close all other applications one by one.
Test keyboard shortcuts after closing each application to identify the conflict.
Once you identify the conflicting application, check if it has an update available.
If updating doesn't help, adjust that application's keyboard shortcut settings or consider using it only when Photoshop is closed.
Common applications known to conflict with Photoshop keyboard shortcuts include:
- 1Password: Update 1Password. Older versions have affected keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop.
- Chrome: Update Chrome. Older versions have affected keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop.
- Notability: In Photoshop, you receive the message "Could not place because the Postscript data is empty or invalid." To resolve this issue, uninstall the Notability app. If you don't have the app installed on your system, but had it installed once, ensure that all parts of the app have been successfully removed.
Third-party utilities, extensions, and drivers
Restart your computer in Safe Mode.
- Windows: Restart while holding Shift, then select Safe Mode.
- macOS: Restart while holding Shift until the Apple logo appears.
Launch Photoshop and test if keyboard shortcuts work in Safe Mode.
Common problematic utilities include:
- Default Folder X utility: Disable or uninstall this utility. You can disable Default Folder X by selecting the Disable button in the Default Folder X system preferences. Or contact St. Clair Software for any available updates.
- MagicMenu utility: You can disable MagicMenu by selecting the Disable button in the MagicMenu system preferences. Or contact MagicPrefs for any available updates.
- Comcast/Xfinity utilities: Contact Comcast/Xfinity for any available updates or instructions on how to disable or uninstall the utilities.
- BetterTouchTool: Disable this utility or contact BetterTouchTool for troubleshooting or any available updates.
- Webroot Antivirus: Contact Webroot for troubleshooting or any available updates.
Outdated or conflicting tablet drivers
Visit the tablet manufacturer's website and download the latest driver.
Uninstall the current tablet driver completely.
Restart your computer.
Install the new driver.
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